Cape Disappointment by artist James Lyman

A Senseless Tragedy

Posted by Marjory Abrams on Aug. 06, 2011 in Lessons in Life

Today, I am still numb. Last week, I was touched by one of those tragedies that you read about in the news and see on TV, and always happens far away. But this time it happened near me. A disgruntled employee caught stealing from his employer set off on a shooting rampage that killed eight other employees, including my neighbor. I didn't know him well, but I knew him well enough. Well enough to know that he was a good man, loved by his family, respected in the community, accomplished in his career. My husband taught two of his children... my daughter went to school with one of them. It was difficult -- impossible -- to explain the events to our children that night. Today we and too many others are living in disbelief. I can't imagine what his widow and children are going through.
This tragedy came on the heels of another sad death. A dear friend of a friend was healthy until he wasn't. He went to the doctor about a pain in his stomach, and found out that he only had weeks to live. Knowing that he would die within the next day or so, my friend's wife confided in me that she was nervous about attending the funeral -- uncomfortable seeing his widow and some of her friends, who had never been particularly nice to her. After she told me about her concerns, I gave "Cindy" my view of the situation: That her real fear wasn't in seeing the widow... it was in being the widow. Deep down, as Cindy later acknowledged, her real fear was that it could have been her husband tragically diagnosed, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing him, nor could Cindy talk to her husband about her fears because he was too enrapt with his own grief and support towards his friend.
I don't know where else to go with my thoughts here except to tell you, to implore you, to remember to give love today -- and every day. I hate to sound like a cliché, but it is a lesson that many of us forget through the course of daily living. Make sure that the people you love know that you love them. Rise above petty disagreements. Seek forgiveness and reconciliation with those you hurt and those who hurt you. You may not have the opportunity to do so tomorrow.

Marjory Abrams has been editing BOTTOM LINE/Personal, the company’s flagship newsletter, since 1988. But as the daughter of founder Martin Edelston, Margie has actually been working for Boardroom Inc. since the age of nine. While she has worked on the marketing and business sides of the company, her focus has been on editorial, working her way from staff editor to  managing editor to editor on  BOTTOM LINE/Personal...and to publisher of the Bottom Line family of newsletters before stepping into the presidency in 2010.  Margie’s heart remains with our readers…always tuning in with our experts and always on the search for new and better ways to help our readers and their families live healthier, wealthier, happier lives.

When not with her Edelston family, Marjory is with her loving husband, four magnificent daughters, and their myriad of pets.

Margie's Blog from Bottom Line Secrets
margiesblog.bottomlinesecrets.com/